Sixteen non-profits led by COMMUNIA, the European Thematic Network on the Digital Public Domain, released the Public Domain Manifesto, which aims at “reminding citizens and policy-makers of a common wealth that, since it belongs to all, it is often defended by no-one. In a time where we for the first time in history have the tools to enable direct access to most of our shared culture and knowledge it is important that policy makers and citizens strengthen the legal concept that enables free and unrestricted access and reuse”.
Among other provisions, the manifesto points out that active maintenance of the Public Domain must take into account a number of general principles:
• The Public Domain is the rule, copyright protection is the exception
• Copyright protection should last only as long as necessary to achieve a reasonable compromise between protecting and rewarding the author for his intellectual labour and safeguarding the public interest in the dissemination of culture and knowledge
• What is in the Public Domain must remain in the Public Domain
• The lawful user of a digital copy of a Public Domain work should be free to (re-)use, copy and modify such work
• Contracts or technical protection measures that restrict access to and re-use of Public Domain works must not be enforced
In addition to these general principles, the Manifesto presents a set of recommendations aimed at protecting the Public Domain and ensuring that it can continue to function in a meaningful way.
Individuals and organisations are invited to read and, if supported, sign the Manifesto which can be found at http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org/.
Public Domain Manifesto
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